California Motorcycle Lawyer – Tom Reinecke

Motorcycle News

Camarillo Motorcycle Crashed Into a Train – April 21st, 2016

Camarillo Motorcycle Crashed into a train. A 26 year-old man and a 23 year-old woman were riding a motorcycle through an intersection near Fifth Avenue and Las Posas Road around 6pm when they struck a Metrolink Train injuring the male rider and killing the woman passenger. The male was intoxicated while operating the motorcycle and arrested after he was treated from the VCMC Hopsital.

The Train had approximately 20 passengers aboard when the crash happened. A video camera positioned on the train was recovered for evidence. After the CHP finished their investigation the train was back on track for it’s daily travel. The investigation delayed the train for 2 hours before it continued its route. The crash may delay schedules Friday morning due to inspection of the train for operation.

Motorcyclist Killed in Arleta on the 5 Freeway – April 21st 2016

Around 12:35 am on the southbound 5 Freeway near Osborne Street a motorcyclist ran into the back of a black pickup truck and ejected from the motorcycle. A big rig then struck the motorcyclist and was pronounced dead at the scene. The 5 Freeway was shutdown for a half an hour before traffic was able to move again.

The man in the black pickup truck was fine in his pickup but could not escape his truck until help arrived. The pickup’s truck bed cage had collapse enough to not allow the driver to escape out the doors and the jaws-of-life had to help release him.

The freeway was cleared and operational along with the cancelled SigAlert at 4:42 am.

BIKER DOWN ALERT -April 21st 2016

Member reported at 5:06 pm in Downey

Member stated a biker went down on fifth and lakewood in Downey. Bike was a black/silver with a green stunt cage. EMT was on scene. Member did say police stated rider was going to be okay, just in some pain.Rider was already gone by the time member arrived. No colors reported. No other info at this time.

BIKER DOWN ALERT – April 20th 2016

member reported Wednesday April 20 at 540pm at Long beach Blvd

Member reported a downed biker on the 105 East near the Long Beach Blvd. It was reported as a white Honda CBR with turquoise race rails. No colors reported. No other info at this time.

BIKER DOWN ALERT – April 20th 2016

Member reported Wednesday April 20 at 838 am on the I-15 S

Member reported a downed biker on the 15 south, near the 56, in the HOV lane. EMT was on scene. Biker was noted to be face down and unresponsive.There were two bikers/bikes on the shoulder next to the downed rider. Member stated the rider appeared to be wearing a full face flat black helmet, along with dark clothing, dark bookbag,possibly a Navy colored uniform. No colors reported. No other info at this time.

These are just a few of the motorcycle accidents that were reported by people of a motorcycle community on Facebook called Biker Down Alerts [SoCal] where members can report motorcycle accidents and are very responsive in posting the latest motorcycle crash news. This community was started in 2013 and now has over 12,000 people following.

At The Reinecke Law Firm we are always sad to hear of tragic accidents involving motorcycle deaths. We send our deepest condolences to the friends and families that were involved with these motorcycle accidents, we also hope for a speedy recovery to those who are still with us. The Reinecke Law Firm has fought for riders for over 28 years and has helped thousands of riders regain control of their lives following their accidents. If you or a loved one have been involved a motorcycle accident or crash Call The Reinecke Law Firm today for a free case evaluation at 1 (800) 275-8326. We Ride, We Fight, We Win!

Six motorcyclists were involved in a crash that may have been intentionally caused by a Pickup driver Saturday April 16th on the 210 Freeway in Irwindale, California.

The motorcyclists were traveling at 65mph when a black pickup crossed multiple lanes and into one of the riders causing a chain reaction to the other five riders behind him. Two of those motorcyclists had hit a BMW in the carpool lane.

The pickup driver fled the scene and has not been discovered. No information of the license plate number or information of the driver has been reported.

Six people in the crash were reported injured, two had minor injuries, four of them were taken to the local hospital and of those four two were critically injured.

The crash closed down three of the highway lanes for a few hours while the crashes were cleaned up.

Anyone with more information about this crash please report it to The CHP Baldwin Park station at (626) 338-1164.

We are glad that no one lost their lives in this accident and we hope for the ones involved in this accident that they have a speedy recovery. If you or a loved one was injured or killed while riding a motorcycle call The Reinecke Law Firm today for a free case evaluation at (800)275-8326. We want to help you as quickly as possible with your recovery.

When Riding Motorcycles on the road there are a few concerns aside from the fact that you are riding with other vehicles on the highways. Worries such as breaking down in the middle of nowhere, getting a flat, trying to communicate with a riding partner or buddy and overall just navigating around. We have come up with a few products to help you with some of those worries.

Having a complete tool set at home is awesome but not convenient if you are stranded without a running motorcycle carrying it around in your saddlebag is a bit impractical. Instead, every rider should have a good pocket-sized multi-tool, and BikeMaster has created a good one: their Multi-Tool with Sockets has just about everything you might need for a quick roadside fix. It has 6 hex wrenches (sizes 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, and 6mm), a combo 8 – 10 – 15mm open end wrench, three sockets (8, 10 and 15mm) and a socket driver. Not bad for something that can fit right in your pocket!

Every rider worst nightmare is getting a flat in the middle of nowhere. With this tire repair kit you’ll be prepared for time of getting a flat. Along with a complete array of tire and tube repair accessories (a complete patch kit as well as the necessary hand tools for the job), it comes with 4 small CO2 canisters to re-inflate a flat. And it can be used for tubed and tubeless tires.

Using hand signals to communicate is rather dangerous and difficult to do, however, the water-resistant, touring-friendly Sena SMH-10 is a great accessory for your group rides that provide crystal clear sound. The set offers a good range of features, with ample intercom range (up to 900 m) to chat with other riders as well as your passenger. Voice prompts allow for completely hands-free control. And you can pair it with your phone to listen to music, phone calls and voice-aided navigation.

If you use your bike to commute to work or school, wearing a backpack can be a drag – literally. Standard nylon or canvas backpacks can flap around in the wind, which can make for an unpleasant ride. The Ogio No Drag Mach 3 backpack has a hard, aerodynamic shell that allows for excellent air flow, and provides additional protection for the stuff inside. At 1125 cu. in, it offers plenty of storage space, and sports protective compartments for laptops up to 15″, iPads/tablets, and smartphones. The hip belt’s buckle is off-center, which keeps it from scratching your gas tank.

5. Skully AR-1 Helmet

The Skully AR-1 isn’t your ordinary brain bucket. According to Skully CEO Marcus Weller, speaking at a press conference in San Francisco earlier this year, it’s “the most complex consumer device on the planet”. The Skully boasts a rear-facing 180 degree camera integrated with an in-visor HUD (Heads-Up Display); the camera projects what’s going on behind you onto the bottom right portion of the visor. Regardless of where you turn your head, you’ll be able to see what’s happening “on your six”, as pilots might say. In addition, the HUD will give you basic info about the bike (speed, RPMs) and Skully is working on a turn-by-turn navigation system as well.

There have been delays – the helmet is now slated for release in the fall – but according to Weller, those delays were to ensure that the helmet meets both DOT and ECE standards. (The helmet will now feature a carbon fiber inlay for additional rider protection.) Right now the Skully AR-1 can be pre-ordered on the Skully website, as manufacturing has not yet begun; the cost is $1500, and there’s no word as to plans for distribution to other retailers.

All of these accessories are great and amazing with their potential capabilities but they won’t always prevent you from being involved in an accident or crash. For those that are involved in a motorcycle crash please call The Reinecke Law Firm at 1(800)275-8326.

In 2015, the governor of California signed the Yellow Alert Bill which is to help find the evaders of hit-and-run accidents and crashes. The bill was originally written by Mike Gatto, an assemblyman of Glendale.

“It’s a very common sense bill that statistics show would greatly reduce the amount of people who get away with this very terrible crime,” Gatto said.

Brown vetoed a similar bill that passed the Assembly last year. Gatto said that he doesn’t know why Brown signed the bill this time around, “but we’re ecstatic about it.”

“This bill will make a very, very meaningful difference, I think, in the number of people who are brought to justice,” Gatto said. “And if more people are brought to justice, I think more people will do the decent thing, and that’s stop. And realize that if you flee the scene of an accident, it’s a crime; if you stop and render aid, then it’s just an accident.”

When Brown vetoed last year’s bill, he said that he was concerned about diluting the power of Amber Alerts with other messages. Gatto said that, given that highway signs are currently used to notify drivers of the state’s drought right and to urge them save water, there should also be room for their use to notify them of hit and runs.

“Hopefully, the governor came to the same conclusion I did, which is that our network is not that burdened right now,” Gatto said.

Gatto said that the alerts would only be deployed in the area of a suspected hit-and-run, and that they wouldn’t trigger an alert to people’s cell phones.

Nearly over 40,000 car accidents in Los Angeles alone nearly half of them are classified as hit-and-run cases. In 2015 27 people were killed by hit-and-run accidents and 144 others suffered serious injuries. Of those case only a fifth of those cases were solved.

The Los Angeles bulletin system also alerts taxi-cab drivers and tells auto-body specialists to watch for vehicles coming into their shops dented or bloodied.

In addition, the city will offer standing rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of hit-and-run drivers: $50,000 for a fatal crash, $25,000 for a collision resulting in serious injury, $5,000 for an accident causing a lesser injury and $1,000 if there was property damage only.

Leaving the scene of a fatal crash or an accident that caused serious injury can lead to felony charges.

If you or a loved one was injured or killed during a hit-and-run while riding a motorcycle call The Reinecke Law Firm today for a free case evaluation at (800)275-8326. We want to help you recover as fast as possible.

If you are a biker in Orange County or a biker just passing through you need to check out Cook’s Corner. Cook’s Corner is a biker bar off of El Toro and Live Oak Canyon Road. It is considered one of the best dive bars to go to and especially on Wednesday nights when there is All-you-Can-Eat Spaghetti, Salad, and Bread for only $4. What a steal on the price.

Where else can you go eat all you can eat for $4, not to mention the place is lively with small bands playing and lots of bikers with their awesome motorcycles. Motorcycles line up and down the road all in almost perfect alignment. Everyone is there to enjoy the atmosphere and hangout with friends.

Cook’s Corner has quite of history of it’s own. It’s name originates from Andrew Jackson Cook, who got around 190 acres of Aliso Canyon in a land trade in 1884. In 1926, his son, Earl Jack “E.J.” Cook converted a cabin into a restaurant for miners and local ranchers.

After Prohibition ended in 1933, alcohol began being sold, and Cook’s Corner became a full-fledged bar. In 1946, Cook bought an old mess hall from the Santa Ana Army Air Base and the tavern was born. In 1970, a Santa Ana motorcycle accessories owner purchased it and Cooks Corner was molded into what it represents today…an old-fashioned roadhouse. Cook’s (as it is normally referred) is still as rugged-looking as a World War II-era-mess-hall-turned-biker-bar should look.

Come out and enjoy Wednesday Bike night every Wednesday, Rain or Shine. There will be great music from live bands and many people riding their show bikes. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy the time away from work, not to mention the roads around are great fun to ride. Just be sure that you ride safely.

With the rise of technologies in batteries and electric motors there have been significant improvements in combining them in motorcycles. Brammo was one of the first companies to come out with a good powerful electric motorcycle with a decent endurance of range for a battery but the fall was the price of the motorcycle. Brammo has since been bought by Polaris. A lot of people are hoping that with the development of electric motorcycles they will come down in costs and the range of the battery would be more than 50 miles and quite possibly the amount of power would be improved. They are on the rise and only time will tell where they will go.

Is it worth the cost of changing from a full gas motorcycle to an electric? As of right now it is not unless you are only riding your motorcycle less than 5-10 miles an hour and plan on traveling at a rate of less than 50 mph or if you have $25,000 pocket change to drop on the new Victory Impulse TT that Brammo (Polaris) has created. If that is what you plan to do you might as well look into buying an electric mountain bike that you could take on and off the road as well as ride on sidewalks.

Pros and Cons of Electric and Gas Powered Motorcycles

Pros of Electric Motorcycles

Low Maintenance Costs

Electricity is cheaper

No Emissions

Quiet (this can be a pro and a con)

Minimal moving parts

Direct Power

No Gears

No Clutch

Cons of an Electric Motorcycle

Heavy

Battery Charging Time

Distance Range

Quiet (others won’t hear you coming)

Not very powerful

Expensive

Not many dealerships know how to service

Pros of Gas Powered Motorcycle

Light weight

Fast

Range is dependent on gas availability (forever)

Loud (People can see hear you coming)

Upgrades are easier

Relatively Cheap

Bigger selection and sizes

Cons of Gas Powered Motorcycle

Loud (neighbors will not like it)

Maintenance Costs are relatively high

Can be messy

Shifting gears

Smell bad

Have to warm them up

Harder to learn

It is all about your preference and how much you want to spend in the end. An electric motorcycle might be good if you plan to have it more than ten to fifteen years but you will be stuck with having to change a battery out by then or even a couple times which pretty much cost half of the bike you bought it for. A gas-powered motorcycle, if maintenance is kept, will last for more than 15 years but you will lose some power due to wear and tear.

Not mention that insuring an electric motorcycle will cost you more because of the bike costing more than a gas powered motorcycle. It might be best to see what’s down the road a little further before we start having a more precise debate on whether an electric motorcycle would be preferred over a gas motorcycle.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident or crash call The Reinecke Law Firm today to see how we can help you make a full recovery to getting all that was lost in your motorcycle accident case. Do not hesitate to call us at 1(800) 275-8326. Call for a free case evaluation.

Newport Motorcycle Accident

A couple was riding a motorcycle when a left turning drive pulled out too early. The couple was launched from the motorcycle when the vehicles collided. Both the rider and the passenger were injured severely.

The accident happened in Newport at the intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and Harbor View Drive around 4:30 PM on March 30th 2016.

Both riders were sent to the hospital for treatment of their injuries. The driver of the car was not injured. The cause of the crash is unknown but there were no drugs, alcohol, or excessive speeding to be part of the case.

Long Beach

April 6th, 2016. 105 w before long beach blvd
Someone reported around 8 AM, “Biker down on the 105 w fwy, blue and white older model suzuki sportbike. Before getting to the long beach blvd exit.” Chp was on scene, however the rider nor medics weren’t present. No other info is available regarding the rider.

Motorcyclist Down in Cerritos

April 4th 2016. 605 north at Katella off ramp at 9 AM

An accident with two up and another vehicle occurred. Both the passenger and rider were thrown from the motorcycle. Per CHP CAD, a female passenger was injured. No info was provided regarding the rider.

Motorcycle Accident in Bellflower

April 1st 2016. 91w near the 605 freeway

Member reported at 9:59am, “91 Westbound. Blue Yamaha, looks like early 2000’s R1. Police on scene. Rider appeared “OK” laying on ground helmet off. Wearing black hoodie and had a beard.” Another vehicle is involved in this incident.

No other info is available at this time.

The Reinecke Law Firm

Motorcycle accidents are a common occurrence in Southern California. We hope that riders are always wearing protection and riding safely and obeying the laws. We wish those that have been involved in motorcycle accidents seek professional advice before settling with their insurance company. At The Reinecke Law firm we fight to help fallen riders recover what the lost and more. Give us a call at 1(800)275-8326 for a free case evaluation.

California offers two classes of motorcycle license: M1 and M2. With an M1 license, you may ride any type of motorcycle with an attached motor, or any motorized scooter. With an M2 classification, you will be permitted to drive a motorized bicycle, a moped, a bicycle with an attached motor, or a motorized scooter only.

Lately there has been a lot of hype about these new mini street legal motorcycles starting out with the Honda Grom. When it first appeared the Grom made big highlights being the smallest legal motorcycle to drive on the highways enabling beginner riders to experience life on a motorcycle.

Soon there will be Kawasaki’s version of the Honda Grom roaming around the streets here in the United States. Kawasaki’s version of the bike will be called the Z125 and will also come with a 125cc motor like the Honda Grom itself. All though these are new in the United States they have been appearing in other countries such as Thailand and Japan which have had great success.

2017 Kawasaki Z1252016 Honda Grom

These little tike bikes are easy to handle, have enough power to get you going and they are even considered to have two seats. They are quite affordable at around a $3000 price tag and are great fun to getting around town. There are so many benefits to the two motorcycles because of their size, you can virtually park anywhere, get around efficiently running on pennies for gas, and are sporty enough to put a smile on anyone’s face that rides or sees them.

The question of how will the two brands of motorcycles compare and which one will consumers like more? If you are wondering about the specifications of the motorcycles you may take a look here. Honda Grom. Kawasaki Z125.

Another question can be asked about whether Suzuki, Yamaha, or KTM or any other motorcycle company will create a mini legal motorcycle. Be sure to check your local motorcycle shop for more information.

Here in the United States there have not been much said about Motorcycle Taxis as they are considered dangerous and would require everyone to wear motorcycle approved helmets. But in other countries Motorcycle Taxis are the best and easiest way to navigate around and through big congested cities.

Countries such as Brazil, India, Japan, and many more that I could probably not pronounce, use motorcycles as taxis since they are cheap, quick, and fun. Getting to and from work would nearly cost you less than a dollar or two and you wouldn’t need to worry about parking or getting stuck in traffic before or after work.

World Moto is the company that is taking over the motorcycle taxi service with their technology similar to Uber but made for safety as motorcyclists don’t have two hands free as they drive customers around. Moto-Meter is their technology that is making their taxi service reliable for the driver and their customers. It allows the customer see the route the driver took and the right price for the travel costs to confirm the amount to be paid to the driver.

Although the United States does not have an official motorcycle/motorscooter taxi service a small business in New York has attempted to build a Vespa Taxi service in New York that is supposed to be twice as cheap as getting a regular taxi in the Big Apple. This company is called ‘Motoconcho’, appropriately named after what the service is called in the Dominican-Republic. We will see how this fairs with people here in the United States.

Tom Reinecke is the Founder and Managing Attorney of The Reinecke Law Firm. Since 1987, Tom Reinecke and his professional staff have successfully represented thousands of motorcyclist and their families involved in motorcycle accident and injury cases throughout California. If you have been in a motorcycle accident call The Reinecke Law Firm Today at 1(800)275-8326.